news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, saying he would "take a back seat to no one when it comes to providing constituent services," will seek re-election to a 15th term.

The 80-year-old Greensboro Republican held a news conference at his local office this afternoon to say he would run in the newly drawn 6th congressional district. The new district will be significantly different for him; just two of his current six counties are in the eight-county district.

“People have been asking me for several months if I was going to run again," he said in a news release, "and my answer was that I was waiting to see if the new congressional maps would remain in place. When the court ruled last Friday that a temporary injunction would not be granted, that was my signal to make a final decision about seeking another term.

“I will take a back seat to no one when it comes to providing constituent services to the people I represent, along with being accessible and visible throughout the district. I have been blessed with a veteran and experienced team of staffers in Washington and North Carolina who have assisted countless thousands of individuals and businesses with issues before the federal government. We are excited to provide these services to the new eight counties joining Alamance and Guilford in the 6th District."

Coble's announcement comes just weeks after he was released from a prolonged hospital stay. He spent two weeks in December in hospitals in Washington and Greensboro, where he was treated for an upper respiratory illness.

“I know people will wonder if I am up to the task of running for another two years," he said in the release. "None of us knows what the future holds, but I feel I am a better representative today than when I first assumed this office. The medical professionals tell me that I am recovering well from the upper respiratory infection that was combined with a depletion of my sodium levels. The doctors saw no reason why I shouldn’t continue in office if I felt up to the task.

“Yes, I may be old, but I am also old-fashioned, too, where I feel you should judge a man by his record and his word. Without sounding too immodest, I feel that I have crafted a record of solid legislative achievement along with outstanding constituent service."